Decorative plumbing fixture protector

ABSTRACT

A protector device includes at least one body sized and configured to fit into a plumbing fixture, such as a sink, or a double-basin sink in particular. The protector device provides protection to the plumbing fixture from scratches, dents, staining, etc. The protector device also includes decorative features, such as designs, logos, patterns, etc. for providing a decorative appearance to the plumbing fixture.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/177,415 filed Apr. 21, 2021, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of plumbing fixtures of existing art and more specifically relates to a decorative and protective device for a plumbing fixture.

RELATED ART

Many plumbing fixtures in a home, such as sinks and bathtubs, are a focal point in a room. As such, it is desirable to maintain their appearance and prevent damage to them. However, many of these plumbing fixtures, particularly kitchen sinks, are prone to damage and staining caused by cutlery, dishes, food, cleaning products, cosmetic products, etc. This not only causes an unpleasant appearance to the plumbing fixture itself, but also minimizes the overall attractiveness of the room. Further, sinks and bathtubs are generally manufactured with materials such as porcelain or stainless steel, and as such, these plumbing fixtures commonly include standard solid colors such as white, black or silver (stainless steel). This can be monotonous and uninteresting and may not be suitable for the design or color scheme of the room. Thus, a suitable solution is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known plumbing fixture art, the present disclosure provides a novel decorative plumbing fixture protector. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a device that protects a plumbing fixture, such as a sink, whilst providing a decorative appearance thereto.

A protector device is disclosed herein. The protector device is used with a plumbing fixture, as discussed above. The plumbing fixture may include at least one basin having a bottom surface, a front fixture side opposite a rear fixture side and a left fixture side opposite a right fixture side, the bottom surface including a drain opening. The protector device may include at least one body portion. The at least one body portion may include a base, a front wall, a rear wall, a left wall and a right wall. The base may be configured to contact the bottom surface of the at least one basin.

The base may include a base opening disposed therein at a location enabling the base opening to align with the drain opening of the plumbing fixture when the base contacts the bottom surface thereof, thereby enabling normal use of the drain opening. The front wall may extend upwardly from the base at a front base side thereof and may be configured to contact the front fixture side of the at least one basin. The rear wall may be located opposite the front wall and extend upwardly from the base at a rear base side thereof. The rear wall may be configured to contact the rear fixture side of the at least one basin. The left wall may extend upwardly from the base at a left base side thereof and may be configured to contact the left fixture side of the at least one basin. The right wall may be located opposite the left wall and may extend upwardly from the base at a right base side thereof. The right wall may be configured to contact the right fixture side of the at least one basin.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a decorative plumbing fixture protector, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a protector device inserted into a double-basin sink, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the protector device of FIG. 1 prior to insertion into the double-basin sink, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the protector device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the protector device taken from line 4-4 in FIG. 3, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the protector device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the protector device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the protector device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a protector device inserted into a single-basin sink, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a plumbing fixture cover and more particularly to a decorative plumbing fixture protector. Generally, the decorative plumbing fixture protector may include a body sized for insertion into a plumbing fixture, such as a sink. The decorative plumbing fixture protector may provide protection to the plumbing fixture. For example, the decorative plumbing fixture protector may prevent scratches, dents, staining, etc. to the plumbing fixture. Further, the decorative plumbing fixture protector may also include designs, logos, patterns, etc. for providing a decorative appearance to the plumbing fixture.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-8, various views of a protector device 100. The protector device 100 may be used for protecting a plumbing fixture 5, as discussed above. The plumbing fixture 5 may include at least one basin 6 having a bottom surface 7, a front fixture side 8 opposite a rear fixture side 9 and a left fixture side 10 opposite a right fixture side 11. The bottom surface 7 may include a drain opening 12. In some examples, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, the plumbing fixture 5 may be a double-basin sink 15. However, it should be appreciated that the plumbing fixture 5 is not limited to being a double-basin sink 15. For example, the plumbing fixture 5 may be a single basin sink (as shown in FIG. 8), may be a bathtub, etc. As such, the use of the term ‘basin’ should not be construed to limit the plumbing fixture 5 to a sink, nor to a particular shape/size.

As above, the protector device 100 may be used for protecting the plumbing fixture 5, as well as providing a decorative appearance to the plumbing fixture 5. As such, the protector device 100 may include decorative features such as patterns, colors, designs, logos, etc. The protector device 100 may include at least one body portion 110. In some embodiments, the at least one body portion 110 may comprise a durable material. Further, in some embodiments, the at least one body portion 110 may comprise a rigid material, or semi-rigid material, such as a plastic material. In other embodiments, the at least one body portion 110 may comprise a flexible, or semi-flexible material, such as a silicone material. In addition to this, preferably, the at least one body portion 110 may comprise a rustproof material, preventing the protector device 100 from rusting. The protector device 100 may also be easily cleanable.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and FIG. 8, the at least one body portion 110 may preferably be configured for insertion into the at least one basin 6. In some embodiments, the protector device 100 may be configured for semi-permanent installation into the plumbing fixture 5. As such, the protector device 100 may be securely installed within the plumbing fixture 5, such as via friction fit. In other embodiments, the protector device 100 may be easily and readily removable from the plumbing fixture 5. To prevent water from travelling between the outer surface of the protector device 100 and an inner surface of the plumbing fixture 5, the at least one body portion 110 may include a width and length at least substantially equal to a width and length of the at least one basin 6 and a depth at least substantially equal to a depth of the at least one basin 6.

As shown, the at least one body portion 110 may include a base 120 configured to contact the bottom surface 7 of the at least one basin 6. Particularly, the base 120 may include a top side opposite a bottom side relative to the plumbing fixture 5. The bottom side of the base 120 may contact the bottom surface 7 of the at least one basin 6. A thickness between the top side and the bottom side may be minimal, so as to not impede use of the plumbing fixture 5. As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the base 120 may include a base opening 122 disposed therein (through the top side and the bottom side of the base 120). The base opening 122 may be located such that the base opening 122 aligns with the drain opening 12 of the at least one basin 6 when the base 120 contacts the bottom surface 7 thereof (as shown in FIG. 4 particularly). As such, the plumbing fixture 5 may be used as normal with a fully functioning drain.

As shown in these figures, the protector device 100 may include walls for protecting sides of the at least one basin 6. Particularly, a front wall 130 may extend upwardly from the base 120 at a front base side 121 thereof and may be configured to contact the front fixture side 8 of the at least one basin 6. A rear wall 140 may be located opposite the front wall 130 and extend upwardly from the base 120 at a rear base side 123 thereof. The rear wall 140 may be configured to contact the rear fixture side 9 of the at least one basin 6.

A left wall 150 may extend upwardly from the base 120 at a left base side 124 thereof and may be configured to contact the left fixture side 10 of the at least one basin 6. A right wall 160 may be located opposite the left wall 150 and may extend upwardly from the base 120 at a right base side 125 thereof. The right wall 160 may be configured to contact the right fixture side 11 of the at least one basin 6. Particularly, the walls 130, 140, 150, 160 may include an outer surface opposite an inner surface. The outer surface of the walls 130, 140, 150, 160 may contact the respective sides 8, 9, 10, 11 of the at least one basin 6. Further, in some embodiments, as shown, the at least one body portion 110 may include a lip 170 located about a periphery thereof. As shown, the lip 170 may be configured to contact (and protect) and outer rim 13 of the at least one basin 6.

As discussed above, the plumbing fixture 5 may be a double-basin sink 15. As such, the double-basin sink 15 may include a pair of basins 6 joined together via a center partition 16 and each including the bottom surface 7, the front fixture side 8, the rear fixture side 9, the left fixture side 10, the right fixture side 11 and the drain opening 12 (or in some embodiments, only one of the pair of basins 6 may include the drain opening 12). As such, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, the at least one body portion 110 may include a pair of body portions 110, each being configured for insertion into one of the pair of basins 6.

As shown, the pair of body portions 110 may be connected via a center wall 180. The center wall 180 may be configured to contact the center partition 16 of the double-basin sink 15. Particularly, the center wall 180 may be connected between the left wall 150 of one of the pair of body portions 110 and the right wall 160 of another one of the pair of body portions 110 and extending horizontally therebetween. The center wall 180 may include a length and width substantially equal (or larger) than the center partition 16 to provide adequate protection.

The pair of body portions 110 may include the same (or similar) shape as the double-basin sink 15. For example, as shown, the double-basin sink 15 may include a cuboid shape and the pair of body portions 110 may also include the cuboid shape. In some examples, the protector device 100 may be provided in a variety of sizes and shapes for fitting a variety of plumbing fixtures. In other examples, the protector device 100 may be custom fit to the plumbing fixture 5.

In use, a user may insert the at least one body portion 110 into the at least one basin 6 of the plumbing fixture 5. Particularly, wherein the plumbing fixture 5 is a double-basin sink 15, the user may insert the pair of body portions 120 into the pair of basins 6. The base opening 122 may align with the drain opening 12 of one or both pair of basins 6. As such, the user may use the plumbing fixture 5 (or double-basin sink 15) as normal whilst the plumbing fixture 5 (or double-basin sink 15) is protected.

It should be noted that certain steps are optional and may not be implemented in all cases. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for using a protective device for a plumbing fixture are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A protector device for a plumbing fixture, the plumbing fixture including at least one basin having a bottom surface, a front fixture side opposite a rear fixture side and a left fixture side opposite a right fixture side, the bottom surface including a drain opening, the protector device comprising: at least one body portion including: a base configured to contact the bottom surface of the at least one basin, the base including a base opening disposed therein at a location enabling the base opening to align with the drain opening of the plumbing fixture when the base contacts the bottom surface thereof, thereby enabling normal use of the drain opening; a front wall extending upwardly from the base at a front base side thereof and configured to contact the front fixture side of the at least one basin; a rear wall opposite the front wall and extending upwardly from the base at a rear base side thereof, the rear wall configured to contact the rear fixture side of the at least one basin; a left wall extending upwardly from the base at a left base side thereof and configured to contact the left fixture side of the at least one basin; and a right wall opposite the left wall and extending upwardly from the base at a right base side thereof, the right wall configured to contact the right fixture side of the at least one basin.
 2. The protector device of claim 1, wherein the at least one body portion is configured for insertion into the at least one basin.
 3. The protector device of claim 2, further comprising a lip located about a periphery of the at least one body and configured to contact an outer rim of the at least one basin.
 4. The protector device of claim 3, wherein the at least one body portion comprises a durable material.
 5. The protector device of claim 4, wherein the at least one body portion comprises a rustproof material.
 6. The protector device of claim 5, wherein the at least one body portion includes a width and length at least substantially equal to a width and length of the at least one basin.
 7. The protector device of claim 6, wherein the at least one body portion includes a depth at least substantially equal to a depth of the at least one basin.
 8. The protector device of claim 7, wherein the plumbing fixture is a double-basin sink, wherein the double-basin sink includes a pair of basins joined together via a center partition, wherein the protector includes a pair of body portions and wherein each body portion is configured for insertion into one of the pair of basins.
 9. The protector device of claim 8, wherein the pair of body portions are connected via a center wall, and wherein the center wall is configured to contact the center partition of the double-basin sink.
 10. The protector device of claim 9, wherein the double-basin sink includes a cuboid shape and wherein the pair of body portions each include the cuboid shape.
 11. A protector device for a double-basin sink, the double-basin sink including a pair of basins joined together via a center partition, the pair of basins each having a bottom surface, a front fixture side opposite a rear fixture side and a left fixture side opposite a right fixture side, the bottom surface including a drain opening, the protector device comprising: a pair of body portions each including: a base configured to contact the bottom surface of one of the pair of basins, the base including a base opening disposed therein at a location enabling the base opening to align with the drain opening of the one of the pair of basins when the base contacts the bottom surface thereof, thereby enabling normal use of the drain opening; a front wall extending upwardly from the base at a front base side thereof and configured to contact the front fixture side of the one of the pair of basins; a rear wall opposite the front wall and extending upwardly from the base at a rear base side thereof, the rear wall configured to contact the rear fixture side of the one of the pair of basins; a left wall extending upwardly from the base at a left base side thereof and configured to contact the left fixture side of the one of the pair of basins; and a right wall opposite the left wall and extending upwardly from the base at a right base side thereof, the right wall configured to contact the right fixture side of the one of the pair of basins; and a center wall connecting the pair of body portions, the center wall configured to contact the center partition of the double-basin sink.
 12. The protector device of claim 11, wherein the pair of body portions are each configured for insertion into the one of the pair of basins.
 13. The protector device of claim 12, wherein the double-basin sink includes a cuboid shape and wherein the pair of body portions each include the cuboid shape.
 14. The protector device of claim 13, further comprising a lip located about a periphery of the pair of body portions and configured to protect an outer rim of the pair of basins.
 15. The protector device of claim 14, wherein the pair of body portions are each made from a durable material.
 16. The protector device of claim 15, wherein the pair of body portions are each made from a rustproof material.
 17. The protector device of claim 16, wherein the pair of body portions each include a width and length at least substantially equal to a width and length of each of the pair of basins.
 18. The protector device of claim 17, wherein the pair of body portions each include a depth at least substantially equal to a depth of each of the pair of basins.
 19. A protector device for a double-basin sink, the double-basin sink including a pair of basins joined together via a center partition, and an outer rim, the pair of basins each having a bottom surface, a front fixture side opposite a rear fixture side and a left fixture side opposite a right fixture side, the bottom surface including a drain opening, the protector device comprising: a pair of body portions each configured for insertion into one of the pair of basins, the pair of body portions each made from a durable and rustproof material, the pair of body portions each including: a base configured to contact the bottom surface of the one of the pair of basins, the base including a base opening disposed therein at a location enabling the base opening to align with the drain opening of the one of the pair of basins when the base contacts the bottom surface thereof, thereby enabling normal use of the drain opening; a front wall extending upwardly from the base at a front base side thereof and configured to contact the front fixture side of the one of the pair of basins; a rear wall opposite the front wall and extending upwardly from the base at a rear base side thereof, the rear wall configured to contact the rear fixture side of the one of the pair of basins; a left wall extending upwardly from the base at a left base side thereof and configured to contact the left fixture side of the one of the pair of basins; and a right wall opposite the left wall and extending upwardly from the base at a right base side thereof, the right wall configured to contact the right fixture side of the one of the pair of basins; a lip located about a periphery of the pair of body portions, the lip configured to contact the outer rim of the pair of basins; and a center wall connecting the pair of body portions, the center wall configured to contact the center partition of the double-basin sink; wherein the pair of body portions each include a width and length at least substantially equal to a width and length of each of the pair of basins; and wherein the pair of body portions each include a depth at least substantially equal to a depth of each of the pair of basins.
 20. The protector device of claim 19, wherein the double-basin sink includes a cuboid shape and wherein the pair of body portions each include the cuboid shape. 